At a certain point in my life I realized — one of those “bolt of lightning” moments — that I really wanted to do something for a living that I am passionate about. I mean, that's an idyllic goal, right? I had worked a lot of jobs that gave me no fulfillment at all, and I didn't want to go through life having never earnestly and honestly tried to follow my passion. I just knew I'd regret it if I didn't really try.

So my wife and I (and our newborn) sold our house in Salt Lake and moved to Germany to go to school. We had barely enough money to pay tuition, and borrowed money to pay rent. We realized that it was a huge risk and that there was a significant probability that it may not work out, but we thought that even so it would be a great experience living in a foreign country, and we had to give it a try.

Long story short, I went from Berlin to London after graduation, where I worked as an intern for a short time at Young's brewery, and from there I came back to the U.S. and started interviewing for a job. To get a job at Sierra Nevada was really the dream, and I went directly to Chico (Calif.) to interview, my first stop. I met Steve Dresler, the head brewer, he introduced me to Ken Grossman, they interviewed me (I was so nervous!), then I left to head to another brewery to interview.

Halfway to my next stop, Steve called me and offered me the job, which I accepted immediately, so I turned around right there and then and counted my blessings. From that day to this I've been grateful to be a part of Sierra Nevada, and can't imagine doing anything else.

Briefly describe your role and responsibilities in Chico before getting the Mills River job.

I was hired as a shift brewer, spent four years doing that, then I had the opportunity to move to head brewer of research and development when that facility was built in 2005. We call it the pilot brewery; it is a stand-alone, 10-barrel brewery at the Chico site. I worked there for the last eight years.

There I was a part of “nuts and bolts” R&D along with a great group of people, which is to say a huge assortment of projects focused on quality: raw materials, processes and the always overlying goal of beer-quality improvements. This was the focus for the first few years — it's what the pilot plant was built for — and then we started brewing a handful of production beers for either our own tap room or for limited distribution (specialty beers).

We then started to a lot of new product development, which became a focus for the last few years, and our Beer Camp program, which is also conducted in the pilot brewery. Interspersed in all of this we still found time to do quality-based R&D work. Needless to say, it was very busy times.

How many people applied for the Mills River head brewer job, and what was the allure for you, personally, to apply, with the prospect of moving all the way across the country?

I jumped at the chance to apply. I was so excited to hear about it. I wanted to help out with the project in any way that I could, and I felt that I would make a good head brewer. That's pretty much it. I've always just wanted to do whatever I can to support this company. That might sound like lip service, but honestly, if Ken (Grossman) had decided he would rather keep me in Chico, I'd have been fine with that, too.

My wife and kids were 100 percent on board, and I also desired to move east, and with that I did not hesitate to take the job. The big side benefit is it brings me a lot closer to my extended family in Tennessee (I have not lived there since I was a kid) and South Carolina, so we can see them more frequently and my kids get a chance to really get to know them. To me that is a really big deal.

The downside is it takes us farther away from my parents, sister and grandma who live in Utah, and my wife's family in Montana. I'm hoping we get a lot of visitors and also have the ability to go see them. However, all said and done, we absolutely love this area and are very excited and happy to be here.

What will be your major role in Mills River, and how many people will report to you?

I am responsible for brewing, cellaring and filtration operations. We generally refer to this as just “production,” and we'll start with seven people on that team, including myself. We will add to staff as we grow.

There will be about 90 people working at the brewery in total to start (this is an estimate; we will start in “phases,” so the numbers will start low as we are just beginning testing, and grow from there). I expect this number will keep increasing as we get into 2014 and beyond.

What personal challenge or specific aspect of this new position are you most excited about?

I'm really looking forward to seeing this brewery get up and running; it's absolutely amazing to see how the site has progressed since last May.

Every day, it is a different place than the previous day. I guess at this point, that's what I'm focused on. My hat's off to all the folks working to make this a reality — what an incredible project.

There are a lot of really skilled people working very hard out here, most of them being local/regional contractors and subcontractors and their crews in addition to Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. folks. Longer term, I am happy that this job allows me to continue to grow in my career. This is a huge challenge for me, but it is very satisfying to continuously learn and grow and be able to apply that and share the knowledge.

What are some of your initial impressions of Western North Carolina? What aspects of this area fit in with your lifestyle, hobbies and interests?

Well, I love the mountains; I am a definitely a mountains guy. I love to mountain bike, and I have been racing cyclocross since I was in college. I'm really looking forward to getting to know the trails and race series here. My son, Henry, races, too, so that's super fun to do together. I love to explore with the family … canoe, hike, camp and fish. And of course I love craft beer and hanging out with other brewers and beer fans. This area has it all in spades — I'm super excited about that.

Describe the type of place and experience people can expect when the Mills River facility is complete.

The brewery is being designed with visitor experience in mind, so it will be amazing to visit. We will have brewery tours as well as a restaurant and taproom. We're also exploring walking trails in the woods and hills here, and river access so folks can land and enjoy the brewery. Wow, a lot to do, see, experience, eat and drink — it will be incredible. We have a very forward-thinking quality and sustainability philosophy that Ken Grossman has promoted and operated by since the beginning in 1980, and we love to show people how and why we do what we do. It will be a little while before we are ready for visitors, so stay tuned.

What is your favorite go-to Sierra Nevada beer to drink after a long day at work?

Pale Ale, the permanent classic, perfection in a bottle, in my humble opinion. I also drink quite a bit of Torpedo IPA — super yummy. I buy a big variety of beers from all over the place, always seeking out and trying new things … but I always keep these two stocked at home.

<p>Age: 40 Hometown: I was born on a Marine base, but I always say my roots are in the East. </p><p>Education: Bachelor's degree in environmental science from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City; Brewmaster diploma from VLB-Berlin, Germany.</p><p>Family: Wife of 18 years, Elizabeth; children, Gwyn, 13, Henry, 9, and Jack, 5. </p><p>How long have you worked for Sierra Nevada? </p><p>Twelve years. </p><p>How did your path lead you to a career in the brewing industry? </p><p>At a certain point in my life I realized — one of those “bolt of lightning” moments — that I really wanted to do something for a living that I am passionate about. I mean, that's an idyllic goal, right? I had worked a lot of jobs that gave me no fulfillment at all, and I didn't want to go through life having never earnestly and honestly tried to follow my passion. I just knew I'd regret it if I didn't really try.</p><p>So my wife and I (and our newborn) sold our house in Salt Lake and moved to Germany to go to school. We had barely enough money to pay tuition, and borrowed money to pay rent. We realized that it was a huge risk and that there was a significant probability that it may not work out, but we thought that even so it would be a great experience living in a foreign country, and we had to give it a try.</p><p>Long story short, I went from Berlin to London after graduation, where I worked as an intern for a short time at Young's brewery, and from there I came back to the U.S. and started interviewing for a job. To get a job at Sierra Nevada was really the dream, and I went directly to Chico (Calif.) to interview, my first stop. I met Steve Dresler, the head brewer, he introduced me to Ken Grossman, they interviewed me (I was so nervous!), then I left to head to another brewery to interview.</p><p>Halfway to my next stop, Steve called me and offered me the job, which I accepted immediately, so I turned around right there and then and counted my blessings. From that day to this I've been grateful to be a part of Sierra Nevada, and can't imagine doing anything else.</p><p>Briefly describe your role and responsibilities in Chico before getting the Mills River job.</p><p>I was hired as a shift brewer, spent four years doing that, then I had the opportunity to move to head brewer of research and development when that facility was built in 2005. We call it the pilot brewery; it is a stand-alone, 10-barrel brewery at the Chico site. I worked there for the last eight years.</p><p>There I was a part of “nuts and bolts” R&D along with a great group of people, which is to say a huge assortment of projects focused on quality: raw materials, processes and the always overlying goal of beer-quality improvements. This was the focus for the first few years — it's what the pilot plant was built for — and then we started brewing a handful of production beers for either our own tap room or for limited distribution (specialty beers).</p><p>We then started to a lot of new product development, which became a focus for the last few years, and our Beer Camp program, which is also conducted in the pilot brewery. Interspersed in all of this we still found time to do quality-based R&D work. Needless to say, it was very busy times.</p><p>How many people applied for the Mills River head brewer job, and what was the allure for you, personally, to apply, with the prospect of moving all the way across the country?</p><p>I jumped at the chance to apply. I was so excited to hear about it. I wanted to help out with the project in any way that I could, and I felt that I would make a good head brewer. That's pretty much it. I've always just wanted to do whatever I can to support this company. That might sound like lip service, but honestly, if Ken (Grossman) had decided he would rather keep me in Chico, I'd have been fine with that, too.</p><p>My wife and kids were 100 percent on board, and I also desired to move east, and with that I did not hesitate to take the job. The big side benefit is it brings me a lot closer to my extended family in Tennessee (I have not lived there since I was a kid) and South Carolina, so we can see them more frequently and my kids get a chance to really get to know them. To me that is a really big deal.</p><p>The downside is it takes us farther away from my parents, sister and grandma who live in Utah, and my wife's family in Montana. I'm hoping we get a lot of visitors and also have the ability to go see them. However, all said and done, we absolutely love this area and are very excited and happy to be here.</p><p>What will be your major role in Mills River, and how many people will report to you?</p><p>I am responsible for brewing, cellaring and filtration operations. We generally refer to this as just “production,” and we'll start with seven people on that team, including myself. We will add to staff as we grow.</p><p>There will be about 90 people working at the brewery in total to start (this is an estimate; we will start in “phases,” so the numbers will start low as we are just beginning testing, and grow from there). I expect this number will keep increasing as we get into 2014 and beyond.</p><p>What personal challenge or specific aspect of this new position are you most excited about?</p><p>I'm really looking forward to seeing this brewery get up and running; it's absolutely amazing to see how the site has progressed since last May.</p><p>Every day, it is a different place than the previous day. I guess at this point, that's what I'm focused on. My hat's off to all the folks working to make this a reality — what an incredible project.</p><p>There are a lot of really skilled people working very hard out here, most of them being local/regional contractors and subcontractors and their crews in addition to Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. folks. Longer term, I am happy that this job allows me to continue to grow in my career. This is a huge challenge for me, but it is very satisfying to continuously learn and grow and be able to apply that and share the knowledge.</p><p>What are some of your initial impressions of Western North Carolina? What aspects of this area fit in with your lifestyle, hobbies and interests?</p><p>Well, I love the mountains; I am a definitely a mountains guy. I love to mountain bike, and I have been racing cyclocross since I was in college. I'm really looking forward to getting to know the trails and race series here. My son, Henry, races, too, so that's super fun to do together. I love to explore with the family … canoe, hike, camp and fish. And of course I love craft beer and hanging out with other brewers and beer fans. This area has it all in spades — I'm super excited about that.</p><p>Describe the type of place and experience people can expect when the Mills River facility is complete.</p><p>The brewery is being designed with visitor experience in mind, so it will be amazing to visit. We will have brewery tours as well as a restaurant and taproom. We're also exploring walking trails in the woods and hills here, and river access so folks can land and enjoy the brewery. Wow, a lot to do, see, experience, eat and drink — it will be incredible. We have a very forward-thinking quality and sustainability philosophy that Ken Grossman has promoted and operated by since the beginning in 1980, and we love to show people how and why we do what we do. It will be a little while before we are ready for visitors, so stay tuned. </p><p>What is your favorite go-to Sierra Nevada beer to drink after a long day at work? </p><p>Pale Ale, the permanent classic, perfection in a bottle, in my humble opinion. I also drink quite a bit of Torpedo IPA — super yummy. I buy a big variety of beers from all over the place, always seeking out and trying new things … but I always keep these two stocked at home.</p>